The door of Wittenberg's Castle Church, where Luther is said to have posted his challenge to the sale of indulgences in 1517, remains the symbolic starting point of the Protestant Reformation, commemorated today by a bronze door bearing the full theses text.
The original wooden door burned in an 18th-century fire during the Seven Years' War, and the bronze replacement seen today was installed in 1858 for the 400th anniversary of Luther's birth, inscribed with the full Latin text of the Ninety-Five Theses. The church itself was substantially rebuilt in the 19th century in a Gothic Revival style with murals depicting Reformation history, though it preserves the original burial site of both Luther and Philipp Melanchthon beneath the church floor near the pulpit. Each 31 October, the church becomes the focus of Reformation Day commemorations across Wittenberg.
| Admission | Free (donations welcome); tower climb €3 (~$3) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Apr-Oct: Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 11:30-18:00; Nov-Mar: Mon-Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun 11:30-16:00 |
| Address | Schlossplatz, 06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany |
Why it matters
Traditional site of Luther's posting of the Ninety-Five Theses on 31 October 1517, the event that traditionally marks the start of the Protestant Reformation; burial site of Luther and Melanchthon.
Site facts
- Built
- Original church consecrated 1503; rebuilt after 18th-century fire, restored 19th century
- Style
- Gothic Revival (19th-century reconstruction)
- UNESCO listing
- Part of the UNESCO 'Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg' (1996)
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Schlossplatz, 06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany
51.8674, 12.6465 View on map
Highlights
- 1858 bronze theses door with the full Latin text
- Graves of Luther and Melanchthon
- 88-metre tower with panoramic views
Tips for visiting
- The visible door is the 1858 bronze replacement, not the 1517 original, which was destroyed by fire
- Visit outside 31 October for a quieter experience away from Reformation Day crowds
When to visit
Weekday mornings year-round, avoiding the 31 October Reformation Day crowds.
Accessibility
The nave has a level entrance; the tower is reached only by a narrow spiral staircase.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Did Luther really nail the theses to this door?
The traditional account of Luther nailing the theses to the door on 31 October 1517 is widely taught, though some historians debate whether he posted them publicly in this way or primarily circulated them by letter; the site is nonetheless the traditionally and symbolically recognized starting point of the Reformation.